Wild Rumours Cause Panic As SMS Prove More Deadly Than SARS
By Azlan Othman & Liza Mohd

Kuala Belait - Since the outbreak of the deadly SARS in the region, rumour mongers are having a field day sending false alarms about the presence of SARS cases in this country through short message service (SMS).

Messages have been relayed through mobile phones, which alleged that airline and hospital staff have contracted SARS. Bulletin also received inquiries seeking clarification whether any SARS cases have been detected in the country.

Relevant authorities said that it is a crime to create panic in the country and warned rumour mongers against spreading false messages.

During the press conference on Tuesday, the Ministry of Health stated that not a single case of SARS has been reported here and even stated that it is mandatory for every medical practitioner in this country to notify any suspected case of SARS to the Department of Health for further action. It is an offence for anyone not to promptly report any suspected cases to the health authorities.

The ministry also included SARS as a notifiable disease under the provision of the Quarantine and Prevention Disease Act, Chapter 47 Laws of Brunei as of March 19,2003.

Some people also seem to make jokes out of this deadly disease by saying that people are not allowed to eat Sardine, go to Sarkas (circus), wear Sarees as these letters begin with the four letter word 'SARS'.

One private school even asked authorities to fumigate their school compound while another school asked its students to pass notes to their parents telling them to seek medical attention should their children develop symptoms relating to SARS like flu and vomiting.

In another case, two private school teachers who had just arrived from Singapore caused panic among the students as rumours spread that the teachers had contracted SARS.

Meanwhile at the international airport, health advice posters were stuck at the arrival hall that states that "if you, your travelling companions, family members and friends develop any of SARS symptoms within two weeks upon arrival to the country from affected areas, please go to the accident and emergency department of the nearest hospital for medical treatment. The symptoms are sudden onset of high fever, shortness of breath or difficulty in breathing and cough."

In Kuala Belait, a rumour that two students in a secondary school have contracted SARS after visiting Singapore during school holidays caused great panic among parents who rushed to get their children out of the school yesterday morning.

The school principal said that it was just a rumour and added it spread like wildfire causing parents of about 200 students to rush to the school to take their children home.

The principal also noted that he had actually approached two sisters who were alleged to have contracted the mystery flu, and stated that they are in excellent health.

He had even contacted the parents and according to them, they had all undergone stringent screening at Singapore Changi Airport and so far have shown no obvious signs or symptoms of the contagious disease.

It is also understood that a number students from different schools remained at home as their parents, out of concern, refused to let them attend classes until the situation showed signs of improvement.

Meanwhile all school principals are scheduled to hold an urgent meeting today at the Ministry of Education.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) now affecting China and Southeast Asia and spreading elsewhere is a mystery flue like bug that has killed more than 60 people and many seriously ill. (Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin)

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